Stick Bug (Oreophoetes peruana)
(PSG-84)
Taxonomy: |
|
Kingdom: |
Animalia |
Phylum: |
Arthropoda |
Class: |
Insecta |
Order: |
Phasmatodea |
Sub-Order: |
Anareolatae |
Family: |
Heteronemiidae |
Sub-Family: |
Heteronemiinae |
Genus: |
Oreophoetes |
Species: |
paruana |
Year: |
- |
Distribution: |
Peru, Ecuador, in the mountains and Peruvian
rainforests. |
O. peruana are sexual. An aposematic stick bug
which needs very high humidity levels. The nymphs
are yellow with black longitudinal stripes, and
yellow 'knees'. Male and female nymphs can be distinguished
apart by the 'bump' that is visible on the underside
of the end of the abdomen. The ova hatch after 3-
4 months. When hatched, nymphs are 3/8 inches (1cm)
long. Nymphs mature in to colourful adults within
about 4- 5 months (6-7 moults).
When handled, this species emits a white liquid
from the upper ventral side of the thorax. This
apparently contains quinoline (CAS#
91-22-5), this compound is known to be mutageneous.
Some recommend not to concentrate too much the culture
and ventilate often the room where they are. Take
off any dead leaf the moisture of the vivarium can
cause fungal diseases. Nymphs at molting, do not
extricate the shed cuticular lining of the glands,
thereby managing not to lose their secretory supply
when they cast their skin. They are able ot discharge
secretion even while still soft after molting.
Females: is dark green, almost black, with
orange-yellow and white strips. They get up to 8cm
long. They laying lays 2-4 eggs per day. Their life
cycle is about 8-10 month, males a bet less.
Males: are a fantastic bright red-pink color.
They get up to 7cm long.
Diet: Various fern species including Birds Nest
Fern (Asplenium nidus), Bracken
(Pteridum aquilinum), Boston Fern (Nephroleptis
exexaltata), Fern
(Asplenium scolopendrium), Asplenium anceps, Fern (Asplenium spp.).
Status: My whole stock died :(! I have no idea
what happened... they all matured and then with
in a month all died. The person i got them from,
also lost all with in one month!... perhaps they
have being inbred too many times.... So i'm looking
for more.
![a](Pictures/Oreophoetes peruanaEggs3.JPG)
Ova.
![](Pictures/Oreophoetes%20peruana.JPG)
One day old nymph.
![](Pictures/Oreophoetes%20peruana2.jpg)
![](Pictures/Oreophoetes%20peruana3.JPG)
![](Pictures/Oreophoetes%20peruana6.JPG)
![s](Pictures/Oreophoetes peruana7.JPG)
![s](Pictures/Oreophoetes peruana8.JPG)
Subadult.
![](Pictures/Oreophoetes%20peruana4.JPG)
The left O. peruana is starting to develop pink
which means it is a male and will molt in a few
hours.
![](Pictures/Oreophoetes%20peruana5.JPG)
Adult male. |